Top Gun Movies: Release Order
The Top Gun franchise follows the legendary Navy pilot Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell through his career at the elite Fighter Weapons School. The 1986 original became a cultural phenomenon with its thrilling aerial sequences, iconic soundtrack, and portrayal of cocky fighter pilots pushing their limits, making it one of the most influential military action films of all time.
This watch list presents both films in release order, which matches the chronological timeline. The long-awaited 2022 sequel picks up thirty-six years later, with Maverick returning to Top Gun as an instructor to train a new generation of pilots, including the son of his late best friend. The phenomenal sequel was met with even greater critical acclaim than the original.
Linear Timeline: Release Order = Story Order
Top Gun
Lieutenant Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell and his co-pilot 'Goose' are accepted into an elite Navy fighter pilot training school. As Maverick pushes himself to become the best, he must confront personal challenges that threaten his flying career.
Top Gun: Maverick
After more than thirty years as a Navy aviator, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell is called upon to train a new generation of TOP GUN pilots for an unprecedented and dangerous mission.
Other Film Series
Camilla Belle
American actress known for horror remakes, big-budget epics, and independent dramas spanning over two decades.
Django
A sprawling collection of Spaghetti Westerns featuring the enigmatic gunslinger Django across multiple timelines and interpretations.
Jack Ryan
CIA analyst Jack Ryan becomes an unlikely action hero in this Cold War thriller trilogy based on Tom Clancy's novels.
Sylvester Stallone
An actor, writer, and director who became one of Hollywood's biggest action stars through iconic roles as Rocky Balboa and John Rambo.
The Mummy Universe
A franchise spanning ancient Egypt to modern times, following adventurers who encounter supernatural forces tied to Egyptian mythology, including the core Brendan Fraser trilogy and various Scorpion King spin-offs.
Zoe Saldaña
Accomplished actress who became a sci-fi franchise icon through starring roles in Avatar, Star Trek, and Guardians of the Galaxy while maintaining a diverse career across multiple genres.